Sociable, Edition One

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IT'S HERE! WHAT IS SOCIABLE? FIND OUT INSIDE THIS ISSUE DISCOVER EDINBURGH DEAF FESTIVAL 2022 SOCIABLE I s s u e # 1 | V o l . 1 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 MEET DAVE KELLY A BLIND MAN WITH A VISION

Welcome to the very first edition of Sociable, a new magazine brought to you by The Accessible Guide C.I.C & Tuesday Night Social.

Tuesday Night Social opened in 2008, and until 2021 the project was known as Phab Liverpool. We create social and leisure opportunities for disabled people aged 16 and over.

For the majority of Tuesday nights since we opened in July 2008, our group has met at The Ark.

This of course came to a grinding halt in March 2020 when the lockdown restrictions were introduced due to the pandemic.

We re opened in September 2021 and our attendances have be far less than pre-pandemic levels.

It was the catalyst for us to introduce a new project, one where people that may be socially isolated can still be part of.

This is where the idea for Sociable came about.

We welcome any individuals and organisations regardless of location to join our project and help us create the content for our new magazine. If you're interested, just get in touch!

THE SOCIABLE TEAM

IN THIS EDITION SOCIABLE, DEC'22 What is Sociable? The Whitechapel Centre The Accessible Guide The Brain Charity Advice This is Liverpool Seamlessly En-Route Brethren Resilience at Work Edinburgh Deaf Festival 03 & 04 05 07 & 08 09 & 10 11 12 13 to 15 17 & 18 Boat of Hope Inflation & Benefits Tuesday Night Social Quirky Quarter Evolving Mindset Camp Ascca 19 to 21 23 & 24 25 & 26 28 29 & 30 31 & 32 In Other News Liverpool Santa Dash A Blind Man with a Vision A Hidden Gem - Brasco Lounge Eurovision 2023! Connect to the Content Contact Sociable 33 34 35 &36 37 39 & 40 41 42

W h a t i s SOCIABLE?

Sociable is a new initiative brought to you by The Accessible Guide and Tuesday Night Social.

Both organisations are based in Liverpool and Sociable is our digital magazine project. We intend to work with partner organisations from around the globe who will help us create the content for our magazine.

The main focus will be on disability and mental health, we will also showcase many different organisations that provide activities or support for disabled people

In 2023, there will be a minimum of two editions of Sociable.

If you have any ideas on the content for Sociable then let us know. Sociable is a magazine that anyone can be part of It's a simple idea and one that can help create a positive image of disability, which is something Tuesday Night Social and The Accessible Guide is all about.

"the main focus is disability and mental health"

We will work with organisations such as The Whitechapel Centre, The Brain Charity and Evolving Mindset that will allow us to showcase their work with articles around homelessness, neurological conditions and mental health. Whilst these organisations are based in Liverpool, we are looking to collaborate with organisations from around the World.

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We welcome organisations both small and large to get involved

The Evolution of Sociable

When the pandemic hit our shores in March 2020, our Tuesday Night Social project came to an abrupt halt and like many organisations around the world, we were unable to meet as a group

Tuesday Night Social is a project delivered by The Accessible Guide to help tackle social isolation and our project is about making new friends and creating memories. It's important to us that we create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that encourages people to join us.

Our digital magazine will help us tell the stories of the people involved at Tuesday Night Social, and will also let our people express themselves creatively Sociable is an opportunity to showcase the talents of disabled people and show, that as individuals, disabled people are capable of playing pivotal roles within our societies.

Members of Tuesday Night Social, then known as Phab Liverpool, after a live performance at The Ark circa 2014.

Our philosophy is that a disability should not deter a person from leading their best possible life

We live in a unique world, with many opportunities, but there is a distinct lack of disability representation and the work of disabled people and disability organisations can often be overlooked.

If you're interested in getting involved with Sociable, Tuesday Night Social or The Accessible Guide, then please get in touch Your input and support is greatly appreciated

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The Whitechapel Centre

The Whitechapel Centre is the leading homeless and housing charity for the Liverpool region. We work with people who are sleeping rough, living in hostels or struggling to manage their accommodation We are committed to helping people find and maintain a home and learn the life skills essential for independent living

Our Vision is to see an end to homelessness, social exclusion and housing poverty in our community We do this by providing practical, tailored support so that each person can find and maintain a home and achieve their potential

Sadly, this winter is threatening to be one of the most difficult for many years The cost of living crisis is affecting people across the region and we are seeing an increasing number turning to us for advice and support It is also impacting on the charity itself, as well as increased demand on our services we have seen our running costs increase at the same time as donations have reduced

Over the last year we have increased our street outreach teams across the Liverpool City Region; now our Liverpool team is out across the city streets 24 hours every day responding to calls to the Always Help Available phone line (0300 123 2041), encouraging people to come indoors and the Centre provides showers, clean clothing, food and support for anyone sleeping rough Our Pathways team support the clients with the highest level of support needs to help begin to address their needs including access addiction services

We have introduced a Hospital In Reach team to ensure people are not homeless when they are discharged from hospital and we have increased our team on the Wirral to be able to reach more people in need of housing advice

Our support for families who are homeless continues, with two family accommodation services and ongoing support for the children and young people in our care Our therapeutic harm reduction accommodation has cared for a number of residents through their end of life as well as supporting several to become abstinent Our meaningful engagement team delivers a range of activities and training sessions to build confidence and self esteem We continue to provide housing advice, online, over the phone and in person at various venues around the city, connecting people with both temporary and permanent accommodation Our donations volunteers sort and deliver over 100 food parcels every week for those in most desperate need

We are unsure exactly what this winter will bring for the charity and the people we help, but we want to give a festive gift to the 700+ people we will be supporting this Christmas

We can only do this because of the kind donations we receive We’re running a Christmas appeal with several ways to support us – volunteer, donate useful things, buy Christmas cards or virtual gifts, or support us financially If you are able to give please do your support will be very much appreciated

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THE ACCESSIBLE GUIDE.

Showcasing Businesses & Their Access Provisions

The Accessible Guide was founded by Disabled People to create genuine opportunities for inclusion.

When we TAG a business and their inclusivity features we then showcase them on The Accessible Guide.

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In 2016, The Accessible Guide registered as a Community Interest Company. Our objective is to use digital technology innovatively to create genuine opportunities for inclusion and reduce the barriers that force exclusion.

Our Company was founded and is managed by disabled people. It is the experiences of the founding members of The Accessible Guide that acted as the catalyst behind the development of our platform

As a disabled adult, and wheelchair user, Phil Peel the Managing Director and Founder of The Accessible Guide has travelled quite extensively across various parts of Europe and the United States. The challenges and barriers encountered were the same barriers that disabled people face regularly at venues and businesses across the United Kingdom.

As a graduate from Liverpool Hope University with an Honors Degree in Information Technology, in 2015 Phil decided it was time to combine his love of travelling with his educational background The idea of The Accessible Guide had festered in his mind for a number of years, but now was the time to move things forward.

It was March 2015 when Phil completed an application to the School for Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Programme.

After a selection process that felt like a mix between Dragons Den and The Apprentice, Phil was offered a place on the 2015 cohort.

The 12 month programme meant Phil was part of a supportive cohort of individuals All of whom were on similar journeys, but all at different stages. It was a unique experience.

The Start Up Programme is for people in the early stages of setting up a social enterprise, charity or social impact project This fully funded course is a transformational experience that gives entrepreneurs the confidence and skills to create social and environmental impact.

Being a social entrepreneur can be a lonely experience, and one of the things Phil gained from the programme was learning how to be resilient.

The Accessible Guide was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and was due to launch in 2020, however, the pandemic set everything back by almost two years

On 1st March 2022, The Accessible Guide finally launched. It may have taken longer than expected, the support we received from Cyberfrog Design, who are our I T Partners and Liverpool John Moores University Discovery Internship Programme and of course the TNL Community Fund has been instrumental, and for this we will be forever grateful.

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EMPLOYMENT

YOUR JOB AD UNWITTINGLY PUTTING OFF CANDIDATES WITHDISABILITIES?

The Brain Charity’s employment team bring you tips, lived experiences and ideas on how workplaces can be more accessible and inclusive to all breadths of society. In this article Employer Relationship Officer Anna Quintal starts right at the beginning of the employment cycle hiring.

How many times, when writing a job description, have you used buzzwords like ‘team player’, ‘outgoing’ or ‘charismatic’, without questioning whether these qualities were really necessary for the position?

How many times, when listing the essential job criteria, have you specified at least five years experience, a Masters degree or expert knowledge is needed, only to offer an average or basic salary?

How often do you require a need for flexibility or out of hours working versus how much work/life balance you can offer and what level of working adjustments are available to your prospective employee?

Now imagine reading such a job description as a job searcher. You read the buzz words, the must have criteria and the static work patterns.

Would you feel empowered to apply for the vacancy? Would you feel you belonged to your potentially new workforce community?

Or would you feel confused considering the organisation promises inclusivity and diversity and like you’ve already fallen at the first hurdle? This is unconscious dissuasion. It’s the feeling many people with disabilities face when trying to get a new job. At The Brain Charity, we see and hear this every day from our clients

WHY IS A NEURODIVERSE WORKFORCE SOIMPORTANT

Being a neurodivergent employee in a neurotypical workplace can feel challenging, so adaptations on the part of the employer are very important. The benefits of hiring a more neurodiverse workforce are huge; creativity, new ideas, different ways of thinking and fresh perspectives.

The Brain Charity helps people with all neurological conditions; any conditions affecting the brain, spine or nervous system. We celebrate and champion differences every day, and want to share this richness with society and more specifically, with employers. Lots of our clients want to work, recognising the benefits that come with being employed. It’s our mission to pass on useful, easy to deploy tips for employers wanting to encourage a more diverse workforce.

ISYOURORGANISATIONUNCONSCIOUSLY DISSUADINGCANDIDATESWITH DISABILITIESFROMAPPLYINGTOJOIN YOURWORKFORCE?
Unconscious dissuasion means you could be missing out on a neurodiverse workforce
IS
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HOW TO AVOID UNCONSCIOUS DISSUASION AND HIRE MORE CANDIDATESWITH DISABILITIES

Here are some of The Brain Charity’s top recommendations to help organisations avoid unconsciously dissuading candidates with disabilities from applying:

Reconsider the language used in your job adverts to describe person attributes, and whether attributes linked to specific personality types are necessary Some descriptions may exclude the best potential candidates

Cull stock phrases and terms that don’t add anything to the job description, or are recycled from other positions.

Consider what qualifications or knowledge really are must haves for the position you’re advertising. Must an administrative assistant have specialist knowledge or leadership skills?

Invite different ways of receiving job applications. Some candidates may struggle with stringent word counts and/or complex situational question and answers. Could candidates be invited to application days, or submit video CVs?

If inviting candidates for physical interviews, ensure your interview location is fully accessible. Consider video call interviews where possible for candidates whose disability may make travel more difficult.

Showcase what your organisation can offer outside mainstream and expected benefits. Flexible working suits many, but not all. Autonomy of managing workload is attractive to some, but others prefer direct line management.

Demonstrate awareness of schemes such as Access to Work and Disability Confident, and an understanding of the importance of making reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability.

Compare how Disability Confident organisations are hiring The Valuable 500 are pioneering organisations who lead the way, ensuring disability awareness is on everyone’s agenda

Share your experiences with contacts and others in your sector

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Liverpool

We couldn't launch a magazine and not write an article about Liverpool. Our home city is known around the world as the place The Beatles were from. Whilst this is true, there's so muchmoretoourcity.

The city is home to the oldest Black community in the country and the oldest Chinese community in Europe. It's a modern, vibrant and multicultural city that will host the Eurovision Song Content is 2023.

Whilst the music scene has also produced the likes of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The La's, Cast, Echo & the Bunnymen and The Zutons.

Liverpool is home to two footballing institutions, with Everton F C and Liverpool F.C. There are many wonderful attractions like the Royal Albert Dock, St George's Hall, the Three Graces and Liverpool ONE to name just a few. It is a city rich in history, spirit and passion.

The May Blitz on Liverpool, in May 1941, was the most concentrated series of air attacks on any British city area outside London during the Second World War.

Liverpool is a resilient city, that is known around the world, and one that we are sure, once you visit, you will love.

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SEAMLESLLY EN ROUTE

As a disabled adult living in Britain, there are barrierstoinclusionthatmyselfandmanydisabled peoplefaceonadailybasisandinclusivetravel,or more to the point the lack of it, is certainly one of thosebarriers.

Living in modern day Britain, you would hope travelling by train would be quite a simple and hassle free process. Unfortunately this is not the case! I have travelled by train regularly across the United Kingdom and on occasions in Europe and the United States, all withvariousdegreesofsuccessandfailures.

It is important to book the assistance required prior to anyrailjourneys.Itsoundslikeasimpleprocess,which it often can be. It doesn't always stop problems from arising though and I am well versed to the problems thatdooccur.

On a number occasions, the assistance hasn't arrived and were not aware I was travelling, whichhasledtomeeitherleftwaitingtoboard thetrain,orleftstrandedonatrain.

InthesummerIbookedassistanceformyfirst trainjourneysincethestartofthepandemic.It was a relatively short return journey from Liverpool to Salford, although I did have to change trains on both the outbound and inboundjourney.

The service from Northern Rail was absolutely faultless, and both journeys went seamlessly. I had booked my assistance in advance, and the journeys were to set times. I purchased an Off Peak Day Return that was valid on any permittedroute.

I arrived at Oxford Road earlier than expected Afterspeakingtothestaffatthestation,Ithen boarded an earlier train back to Liverpool I have had some issues when arriving at stations early, with hostile staff that have made me feel like I've caused a major issue The staff at Northern Rail exceeded my expectations and my first train journey in almost2yearswasfaultless

It'salwaysaconcernwhenIhavetochangeat different stations, as I am not only relying on mytraingettinginontime,Iamalsorelyingon theassistancebeingreadyandprepared

I'm hoping this could be a new trend and that future journeys go as smoothly Only time will tell

TRAVEL
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BUILDING RESILIENCE ATWORK

I was recently asked in a presentation I gave on resilience at work what were the most popular areas of breathwork I’ve delivered in the past For 6 years since beginning Breathren which also mirrors what I’ve taught prior since 1995, they include the following namely, breathwork for better sleep, breathing for movement/exercise/resistance training, overcoming hyperventilation syndrome, recovering from asthma, wellbeing in the workplace to build resilience

It’s on the latter that I’ve had the broadest interest which is why I’ve been focusing on it

In 2022 with regards to a business audience in partnership with Kim Rutherford Take a read of the forthcoming article in this month’s My Planet Liverpool magazine which explores Kim’s brilliant 8 Ways To Wellbeing, a toolkit we apply to our wellbeing in the workplace strategies

In addition, and as mentioned, many people have asked me more about my work with resilience the subject seems to be trending now amongst those working in e g experienced leadership roles. How we breathe plays a big role in our coping strategies for managing stress and building resilience at work

“But all you need to do is inhale and exhale” quipped a lively member of another recent company workshop I held"

“Well, you’d be dead if you didn’t” came my response. The point is…don’t forget to pause after the exhale. Here’s why As humans, we can control how we feel by how we breathe For example, you ’ re on a plane and feel that fear of flying so your pulse, breathing rate and temperature increases

You can go down the mindfulness, meditation route or you can simply focus on the breath and remember that the calmest people breathe silently, gently and from the lower abdominal muscles at a rate of about 6 8 breaths a minute

HEALTH&FITNESS
Kim with her seminal book on workplace wellbeing
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This puts us in a ‘parasympathetic’ state and the best way to achieve this is via a longer exhale that contains a long pause afterwards So, for example, breathe in for 3, out for 7 and pause for 3

We all know that feeling of low emotion from the last 2 years (incidentally, there’s a strong link between low emotion and why your mind employs multiple buffer mechanisms that include procrastination, eating junk, drinking, excessive video gaming, etc These are all symptoms of what is referred to as psychosomatic dysfunction.

Given that the ability to maintain your composure during stress can potentially determine whether the stress will cause positive or negative metabolic adaptations, it’s therefore crucial to change that feeling of low emotion

And you do it via the breath. You can imagine your abilities in the workplace to perform better and be more productive by coping better with your stress load through a stronger emotional state

Lower abdominal breathing is key

This technique also improves our sleep and ability to exercise with more strength and endurance but that’s for another article

Focusing on the workplace, how do such breathing techniques help you build resilience?

Imagine having to cope with a daily stress load that doesn’t give you ‘time to breathe’? How can breathwork change that?

Being on a heightened sense of anticipation is a state too many of us recognise in modern Western society

That often creates a dysfunctional breathing habit that we commonly, are unaware of and is thus hidden

This heightened state can send a cascade of stress through the body creating the potential for many symptoms and ill health as a result

Life is all about emotion and our ability to keep our energy and vibe high, right?

But how do we build up a capacity to tolerate a negative emotion if it’s already low?

Nature gave us the power of the breath that’s why it feels so good to breathe in nature

The beauty of the breath and its powers lies in nature yes but also the speed with which by manipulating it through different breathing exercises, it can change how you feel physically, mentally & psychologically,

helping to shift that emotional state, and, it’s all in the experience

Our bodies are so good at telling us how we feel…notice I didn’t say the mind, on purpose. I’ll come back to that.

So, when we feel that stressed state, it’s worth remembering, wait for it, why Zebras don’t get ulcers

Yes, they spend much of their time in the Savannah, minding their own business, in a parasympathetic state, grazing and living the dream, until the big cat arrives and then the adrenals kick in

HEALTH&FITNESS
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As humans in the workplace and in life, we need to feel that stressed state less often otherwise we, ultimately get burnt out and on the way, perform relatively poorly on a daily basis.

Being stressed turns on hyperventilation based breathing

Long term that can create illness and not to put too fine a point on it, there are more than 150 different medical conditions related to living in a hyperventilation state Given the speed with which breathing exercises can change how we feel and function daily, imagine the power and benefits of committing to a daily practice key to keeping us from feeling over stimulated d h l d!

Behind the exercises, I have found that a daily observance of the breath, and e g where it comes from, and how light or heavy it feels can keep you in the best state to maximise your potential at work.

For instance, come to recognise your breath as ‘normal’ by making sure it is light, quiet, effortless, soft, through the nose, tummy based, rhythmic, and gently paused on the exhale for about three seconds

There are three levels of breathing so softly that the person next to you can’t hear you breathe, softly so you can’t hear yourself breathe, so softly that you cannot feel yourself breathe

And if you want to become aware of that hidden dysfunctional breathing pattern and change it into a functional one to build greater resilience, here’s a checklist of bad habits to give up mouth breathing (common when using tech), audible breathing during rest, regular sighing, sniffing, yawning with big breaths, large breaths prior to talking, lots of upper visible chest movement aided by forward head posture

Make breathing exercises a habit

The beauty of the exercises is that they create a habit, a daily sequence that we can rely on when our bodies check in with us and tell us we are stressed.

I did mention that I’d come back to that point about our minds telling us how we feel Well, when we focus on the breath, watch what disappears from your mind Most of what we think is made up of 95% nonsense based upon existing in a stressed state Breathwork fixes that

Awareness of the breath not only stops you taking your breathing for granted, it also enables you to use it to your huge advantage at work and it’s a proven gamechanger Just ask all my clients

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Designed

by disabled people to create opportunities for inclusion

EDINBURGH DEAF FESTIVAL 2022

August 2022 saw the launch of the first ever Edinburgh Deaf Festival, with a programme of more than 100 performances over eight days

Among those at the launch were the award winning mime artist DeafMimo, Mae Al Kalamchi from the children’s magic show Once Upon A raindrop and comedian Gavin Lilley

They were joined by deaf actor, BSL user and Festival Ambassador Nadia Nadarajah, who has performed worldwide and appeared in multiple TV and theatre productions.

Nothing quite like it has been staged before in the UK and Edinburgh based charity Deaf Action, which is organised the festival, hopes it will bring deaf talent and culture into the mainstream

Deaf Action is a deaf led charity based in Edinburgh, supporting people in Scotland and the South of England

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
From the Newsdesk of All Together Now Photos by Colin Hattersley & David Monteith Hodge
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The whole event is designed to appeal to deaf and hearing audiences alike.

Gavin said: “It’s an honour to have been asked to come to Edinburgh to take part in the festival I’m really looking forward to sharing my experiences of navigating the hearing world I hope my show will give people some insights, perhaps a little education but above everything else that it will entertain.”

Once Upon A Raindrop is a walk through experience especially for children Mae said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming audiences to see Once Upon a Raindrop it’s an amazing show and will be huge fun for children.”

DeafMimo (aka Stephen Robinson) is renowned for his comical movement, funny facial expressions, which delight children and adults alike in his family friendly show

He said: “Mime is much more embedded in the deaf than the hearing community, and I’m hoping to take it to the widest possible audience This is my first time in Edinburgh and being here for the festival is very exciting ”

Edinburgh Deaf Festival run alongside the Fringe and was supported by the Edinburgh Fringe Society

Deaf Action is also making Fringe shows more accessible through a variety of initiatives including the piloting of an interpreter on demand service

This will allow deaf people to choose the performances they want to see and when they want to see them It will start small and hopefully grow in the years ahead.

Nadia said: “I’m honoured to be the Ambassador for the Edinburgh Deaf Festival it is special to me as a deaf actor and creative artist It’s important to recognise deaf works in the arts world

“This festival is for everyone and will bring communities together, showcasing the best in deaf talent and our rich deaf culture We can’t wait to celebrate this together ”

Deaf Action Chief Executive Philip Gerrard said: “This has been three years in the planning, so it’s great that it’s finally here I’ve been watching the rehearsals and that’s made me even more excited about what’s to come

“We’re really looking forward to putting on great shows for audiences, and also to providing opportunities for deaf performers giving them the chance to entertain at the first festival of its kind to be held in Scotland ”

All performances were interpreted and captioned and were inclusive for hearing people as well as the deaf, and the performances included a mix of deaf and hearing artists,

There will be an exhibition and a screening as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, which has been designed to spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of deaf led stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.

"I hope my show will give people some insights, perhaps a little education
but above everything else that it will entertain"
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THE BOAT OF HOPE

Two years ago Bernie Hollywood OBE JP was passionate about making a difference to early years Mental Health & to young adult suicide depression here in the UK & across the world Bernie has over four decades of supporting children & young adults through his charity work & saw what was happening in particular to the youth suicide numbers increasing in the UK & across the world as something that needed to be addressed

And so his #BoatOfHOPE Campaign was launched with a mission to open up thousands of conversations on early years Mental Health & suicide & depression with young adults through the creative arts & adventure

Bernie assembled some of the UK’s most creative people from children’s authors, renowned artists, music gurus, animators, website design & documentary film makers & himself from the adventure side Bernie is one to worlds most accomplished adventurers & explorers having conquered both Geographic Poles & climbing the worlds highest mountains & securing a number of world records along the way too!

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Bernie’s boat is unique as it has a 42ft mural called ‘Hope’ which he commissioned with renowned artist Justin Eagleton wrapped beautiful around his solo rowboat The artwork was produced with content from over 6,500 High Schools across the UK & produced by Justin showing the journey of a young persons journey through depression

The mural is completely interactive & has QR codes that will bring you to its number one best selling children’s book #BernieAndBoatie written by award winning author Natalie Reeves Billing & their charity single ‘Up & Down Heart’ produced by Natalie & Ben Hughes.

Bernie consulted with two key mental health partners to seek how best to approach the children & open up these all important key conversations

His partners advised him that storytelling for early years & creatives arts of music, art, poetry & filmmaking for young adults would engage them in opening up about what Hope means to them in a beautiful way A picture paints a thousand words & enables young people to tell you how they truly feel that simply cannot be conveyed in spoken words.

The result has been a 4 part campaign activation which has been extremely successful with two further parts to complete this & next year

The #BoatOfHOPE Campaign pivots around the ocean going row boat Bernie will row single handedly 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean on the 12th December in the worlds toughest row challenge a journey of up to 90 days alone at sea

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You can also view the children’s book animated trailer from King Bee Animation & voiced by Melanie C of ‘Spice Girls’ fame & star of screen & stage Sacha Dhawan too!

Since launching the #BoatOfHOPE Bernie & his solo rowboat weighing in at three quarters of a ton have completed a 300 mile 30 day boat pull at Ministry of Defence Base, Lynham in April to raise awareness of the 300 plus young lives aged 11 18 that took their lives through suicide last year in the UK Bernie has just completed a hugely successful #BoatOfHOPE a six week nationwide UK School Tour meeting & open up thousands of conversations on mental health with primary school children & on suicide & depression with high school students using the creative arts & adventure to do so.

Bernie is now preparing to solo row the Atlantic Ocean in his spectacular #BoatOfHOPE in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge starting on 12th December a challenge that is seen by a global audience of over 950 million people! His journey will take him up to 90 days alone at sea, Bernie has 60 sealed letters of Hope written by 60 High School Students from the UK & China & he will be reading & recording one each day to from the deck of his boat & sending them back via his onboard wifi hotspot to each Student

Once Bernie has completed his solo row the #BoatOfHOPE will appear in a two week exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral from 23rd May 2023 featuring his Ocean solo rowboat, all of the artwork from the students, ‘Bernie & Boatie’ children’s book workshops on mental health, ‘Bernie & Boatie’ the Play & ending with a #BoatOfHOPE’ Rock Concert raising further awareness of youth suicide & depression plus much needed funds for the campaign charity partners

For more information on how to can support Bernie & his #BoatOfHOPE Campaign & follow him across the Atlantic Ocean go to: www boatofhope com

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THE ACCESSIBLE GUIDE.

If you ' re organisation is based in the North West and you provide activites or support for disabled people then you could receive a free listing on The Accessible Guide. For more information please contact us at info@theaccessibleguide.com

Why disabled people’s benefits must be increased in line with inflation

DISABILITY charities are demanding benefits be increased in-line with inflation rather than wages, as a new study shows the extent to which disabled people were struggling to make ends meet even before the cost of living crisis.

According to findings from the Sense charity survey, disabled people are;

Three times more likely to be behind on bills or in debt compared to non disabled people

Three times more likely to be unable to afford access to adequate food than those with no disability, and;

Three times more likely to be unable to heat their home than those with no disability rising to eight times for people with more complex needs.

Richard Kramer, Sense chief executive, said: “The current cost of living crisis has worsened an already precarious financial situation for disabled people

with those with more complex needs, and their families, facing the hardest time.

“The Government must recognise the scale of the crisis and impact on disabled people and commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation.”

Gemma Hope, director of policy at Leonard Cheshire, said: “Leonard Cheshire analysis also shows that current support falls woefully short and many disabled people are desperate for more targeted support during this crisis.

“Support with energy bills must immediately target disabled people and households most vulnerable to energy price increases, especially if benefits do not rise with inflation as has been promised.”

From
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Helen Walker, Carers UK chief executive, said: “Unpaid carers are particularly vulnerable to rising costs due to their limited ability to earn an income, and they have extra costs to meet that they cannot cut back on. The new Chancellor must do the right thing and ensure Carer’s Allowance and its associated premia are uprated in line with inflation." Around two million people live with sight loss in the UK, and 340,000 of these are registered blind or partially sighted.

Even before prices began to rise, one in five blind and partially sighted people said they had some or great difficulty in making ends meet, with the cost of living crisis making the situation even worse.

Matt Stringer, RNIB chief executive, said: “A reversal of the promise by the Government to raise benefits in line with inflation would be a devastating blow. Targeted support is needed now to help those impacted by rising costs in all areas of their lives and stop people being pushed into hardship.

Nicky Shaw, Blind Veterans UK Director of Operations, said: “The blind and partially sighted, including the blind veterans we support, need action to allow them to cope with the cost of living crisis.”

Joanne Creighton, Glaucoma UK chief executive, said: “Raising benefits in line with wages and not inflation in the midst of the cost of living crisis equates to a severe reduction in vital support for many people affected by sight loss in our communities, and will be highly detrimental to their quality of life.”

Fiona Sandford, Visionary chief executive, said: “Many of the people we represent are currently experiencing significant financial hardship and it is imperative that action is taken now to reverse the damaging impact that rising costs will have on already challenging lives.”

Charles Colquhoun, Thomas Pocklington Trust chief executive, said: “Any further weakening of the link between benefit increases and inflation will leave low income blind and partially sighted people facing real difficulty.”

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THIS IS TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL

Tuesday Night Social first opened its doors in July 2008 Our project is all about creating social and leisure opportunities for disabled people that are aged 16 and over, and over the past 14 years, we have definitely done that! Until 2021 our project was affiliated to Phab and run under the name of Phab Liverpool.

When we rebranded our project to Tuesday Night Social, it was done so to freshen things up.

We have been based at The Ark in Liverpool 7, since we opened in 2008, The Ark in L'Arche Liverpool's day resource centre and is a place we call home.

Social&Leisure
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Over the years we worked with many different organisations and have had more than 10,000 people attend our activities

One of our favourite activities is when we have worked with Rhythm Reaction to provide drumming and percussion sessions

Our Project Team have completed the Liverpool Santa Dash on many occasions over the years to raise vital funds for our project

We finish each year with a Christmas meal at various restaurants across he city, our favourite place though is Brasco Lounge at Mann Island!

When the pandemic hit our shores in March 2020, it meant we had to suspend our project at The Ark and it was a full 18 months before we were able to open in a safe and appropriate manner.

During the first lockdown in March 2020, we quickly introduced a new online session via Facebook. A few months later, we received funding from LCR Cares that allowed us to start a Zoom project, which also enabled us to provide equipment to several members that enabled them to participate.

Our project meets regularly at The Ark in L7, we'd love it if you joined!

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 26

M A N C H E S T E R

For businesses in Manchester, Lancashire & Cumbria contact us now for more information at listings@theaccessibleguide.com
If your business is accessible and welcoming to disabled people, you could receive a free listing on The Accessible Guide. T H E A C C E S S I B L E G U I D E .

EXPLORING THE QUIRKY QUARTER

Quirky Quarter, Liverpool is fast becoming one of the cities favourite attractions. It's quirky by name and is definitely quirky by nature!

The attraction is a big favourite for families and friends looking for a mind blowing and brain boggling day out. Quirky Quarter is packed with puzzling challenges and brain teasing workouts, oddball photo opportunities and interactive experiences.

Based at The Arch building, the entrance is ramped and there is an accessible toilet facility at the venue.

Once inside, you'll be greeted by the awesome QQ Team and then all you need to do is let the adventures begin!

We spent around ninety minutes and found the experience fascinating and most definitely unique and very entertaining.

Summer Edwards Events Manager at Quirky Quarter says:

If you’re seeking that unique experience for getting your team back together, we’re just what you are looking for.

From the moment you set foot into the Langdon Library our traditional reception space you become immersed in a world where nothing is quite what it seems.

We couldn't agree more with Summer!

If you're in Liverpool, then why not visit the Quirky Quarter at:

The Arch Building

142 Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 5DR and experience the adventure for yourself!

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 28

EVOLVINGMINDSET

YOURMINDMATTERS

Founded in 2019 by brothers Phil and Andrew Noon, Evolving Mindset CIC is a not-for-profit mentalhealthorganisationbasedinPrescot.

Born from personal experience and driven by an ambition to prioritise positive mental health, the brothers identified a widening gap between NHS services and the availability of therapeutic support within the local community, thus the concept for EvolvingMindsetbegan

Capitalising on Phil’s background in Learning & Development and Andrew’s experience as a mental healthpractitionertheyweredeterminedtochallenge the stigma associated with mental health and designedanddeliveredaFREEprogrammeofsupport to engage, educate and empower people experiencingmentalhealthdifficultiestowardsamore positiveproductivemindset.

Theneedfortheirserviceswasevidencedbythehuge demand and the organisation expanded to work closely with GPs, education providers and local organisations such as LIVV Housing, ForHousing, Volair Leisure and the Lee Cooper Foundation, eventually extending their provision to offer accredited mental health first aid training courses and a range of bespokewell beingprogrammestolocalbusinesses

Encompassing the ethos of Evolving Mindset 100% of the profits gained are then reinvested back into the freesupportforthosewhoneeditmost

Phil Noon said: “It is key that we never charge a person a single penny who is in desperate need of mentalhealthsupport"

However, in 2020 like many businesses across the region, Evolving Mindset faced their toughest challengetodatewhentheCovid 19pandemicswept the country Continuing to operate through the pandemic,theyadaptedanddeliveredonlinecourses via zoom never wavering in their support for the community

Health&Wellbeing
SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 29

However, being a newly established organisation in a service area that was already in severe crisis pre pandemic, Director Phil Noon quickly realised that the team themselves also needed support to beabletocontinuetodeliver

In October 2020 Phil was introduced to the Invest Knowsley Business Growth Team by Lorna Marshall (WorkingWellProgrammeCo ordinator)whohadbeenworkingwithEvolvingMindsetthroughoutthe earlystagesoftheCovid 19pandemic.

Followinganinitialdiscussionwithadedicatedbusinessadvisoritwasidentifiedthattheorganisation could benefit from the free specialist support available through the Business Growth Programme (BGP).

Phil immediately signed up to the BGP which enabled highly skilled management consultant Mike Holmes to work directly with the team on a one to one basis over a number of months A key element of the support was to review the structure, aims and sustainability of the organisation to ensure they could continue to deliver free services The overriding objective was to look at income generationaswellasreviewingthepricingstructureforcorporatetraining

Evolving Mindset have a range of training packages, all delivered by registered mental health nurses andqualifiedtrainersforbusinesses,schoolsandlocalorganisations Referralsarealsotakendirectly fromindividualsandfamiliesreachingoutforsupport.

To find out more or to sponsor a mental health community programme please visit their website: wwwevolvingmindsetcouk

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 30

THIS IS CAMP ASCCA

Based in Jacksons Gap, Alabama, USA, is a place that could possibly be the most wonderful place on this Earth.

Beginning in 1976, Camp Ascca is a specialised camp for kids and adults with disabilities. Ascca has been a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation and is known throughout the world for its superior quality services.

Providing camping experiences for children and adults with disabilities, Camp ASCCA is open year round Within its barrier free environment, Camp ASCCA offers 230 wooded acres on the shores of beautiful Lake Martin in Alabama

Ascca is a place that is very close to the heart of the founder & Managing Director of The Accessible Guide, as Phil Peel spent three summers at Camp Ascca as a Camp Counselor

In 2001, Phil applied to the Camp America program and just a few short weeks later was offered a position at Camp Ascca.

As Phil is a wheelchair user, it was advised that Phil applied to a special needs camp to ensure it was accessible.

It is the people that make Camp Ascca such a wonderful place, Phil says. If you've ever worked at Camp then you know the score. It's a place where virtual strangers can become best friends in such a short space of time.

"The life experiences that Camp can offer is something unique and there's a saying that there's no friends like camp friends, and this is something I can relate to."

Life at Camp is fun, and also tiring! During the main summer season, Camp Ascca welcomes new campers in every Sunday morning Who then spend a week at Camp before going home on Friday

Over the course of their stay, campers can try all the wonderful activities, including Zip Line, Tubing, Canoeing, Horseback, a Nature Trail and Swimming to name just a few. Ascca is an exciting and welcoming place and is like a second home for many, many people. It's fair to say that Ascca summers are truly, THE best.

I V E R P O O L

T H E A C C E S S I B L E G U I D E

If your business is accessible and welcoming to disabled people, you could receive a free listing on The Accessible Guide.

For businesses in the Liverpool City Region contact us now for more information at info@theaccessibleguide.com

L
.

ChamberSuccess

Earlierthisyear,TheAccessibleGuideC.I.C becamemembersoftheLiverpool ChamberofCommerceandithasbeenan excitingandbusytimesince!

Throughthedifferenteventsandmeetings thattheChamberofCommercecreate,we havemetindividualsandbusinessesthatwe eitherarealreadyworkingwithorwillbe workingwithinthenearfuture. The connectionsthatwehadmadeand continuetomakewillbegreatlybeneficial forourCompany

Ithasbeensuchapositivestep,andwe can'tthankthewonderfulpeopleatLiverpool ChamberofCommercefortheirsupport.

YoucanfindoutmoreabouttheLiverpool ChamberofCommercebyvisitingthem onlineat

www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk

TheSchoolforSocial Entrepreneurs

In2015,ourFounder/ManagingDirectorwas selectedtobepartoftheSchoolforSocial EntrepreneursStartUpProgramme. AtthispointTheAccessibleGuidewas nothingmorethanandidea Beingpartof theSchoolforSocialEntrepreneurswasa uniqueexperience Therewereother businessesandentrepreneursonthecourse andwewereallatdifferentstages.

FEATURE ON THE FRONT COVER!

Wewelcomeanyorganisationsorindividualsthathaveanarticlein Sociabletosupplyanimagethatwecoulduseasthefrontcover!

OurfrontcoverimageforthefirsteditionofSociableistakenfromour TuesdayNightSocialprojectChristmasNight2015.

Ifyouhaveanimagethatyou'dliketoseeonafrontpage,thenplease sendittousatinfo@theaccessibleguidecom Pleasemakesureyou havepermissiontousethephoto,asweareunabletoacceptany imageswithoutpermission.

LJMUDiscoveryInternships

IfyourcompanyisbasedinLiverpoolorthesurroundingareasandyou areinterestedintakingonanintern,thenmakesureyoucheckout LiverpoolJohnMooresUniversityDiscoveryInternships

Toengageandlearnfromothersinsimilar situationshelpedusformthebasisofwhat wewanted,thereweremanydifferent aspectsthatweneededtoconsiderbefore foundingtheCompanyandtheSchoolfor SocialEntrepreneursplayedapivotaland supportiveroleintheearlystagesofour storytodate

InOctober2021RyanGormanjoinedusasourfirstinternatThe AccessibleGuide.RyanwaswithusuntilDecember2021.Duringthe summerof2022,wewelcomedGeorgiaSteeltoTheAccessibleGuideas oursecondinternandinOctober2022wewelcomeourthirdand currentinternMiaGuesttoTheAccessibleGuide

TheopportunitytowelcomeinternsfromLJMUhasbeenagreat successforourCompany.ThecontributionsthatRyan,GeorgiaandMia havemadetoTheAccessibleGuideisinvaluableandwethank LiverpoolJohnMooresUniversityfortheircontinuedsupport.

IN OTHER NEWS SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 33

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

The Liverpool Santa Dash is the biggest and longest established Santa Runs in the UK, and in 2005, in just the second Santa Dash, achieved Guinness World Record status for the Biggest Santa Gathering.

It has been an event that our Tuesday Night Social Team have completed many times to raise the funds required that have enabled us to provide our projects and session.

This years Santa Dash takes place on Sunday 4th December, starting at 9:30am It is always a morning filled with fun and laughter and where thousands of people take to the streets of Liverpool to complete a 5k dash around the city centre, all dressed as, yes you guessed it, Santa!

Our last Santa Dash was 2019, whilst we are not completing in this years event there are still many wonderful charities and organisations that are taking part to help them raise vital funds for their projects.

We are definitely planning to return to our Santa Dash duties in 2023 and we are always looking for new Santa's to help us fundraise for our project If you're interested then get in touch!

The event is organised by BTR Liverpool, who host many different events across the city throughout the year. We truly can't put into words how much we enjoy the Santa Dash, it's a wonderful morning and it signals the start of the Christmas season, we'll be back in 2023!

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 34

Meet Dave Kelly

A BLIND MAN WITH A VISION

Dave Kelly is a blind man with a vision, which coincidentally is the title of his new book When Dave was 30, he turned blind almost overnight due to retinitis pigmentosa, a condition which causes a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina For Dave, this led to complete sight loss in just two weeks From that moment Dave decided that blindness wouldn’t define him.

In 2004, Dave founded Daisy Inclusive UK, the can do charity that does Daisy supports vulnerable, young people with disabilities and their families through strands in the Daisy Chain which includes sports, music, education, employment, disability hate crime, social readiness and support

On Tuesday 15th November 2022, the latest Ubiquity PR wellbeing connector event was for Dave Kelly’s book, the event was held at Mamasan Liverpool.

Dave had the support of many individuals, companies and organisations that attended the event including the High Sheriff of Merseyside, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Novotel Paddington, Wellness In The City, NHS, BIPC Liverpool, Paul’s Place and fortunately for us, The Accessible Guide

This was Dave’s evening, predictably, and rightly so, Dave stole the show There was a buzz in the air and Dave was overwhelmed

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 35

Much to Dave's credit he still managed to be funny, inspirational, educational, on point, and always with a smile on his face.

Speaking about his book Blind Man with a Vision, Dave say’s.

Through our Tuesday Night Social project, we have had the pleasure of knowing Dave for more than 18 years We first worked with Daisy Inclusive UK in 2004, when the charity was still in its infancy

It is clear to us the positive impact Dave and Daisy Inclusive have had on the lives of many organisations, individuals and families over the years and this is something that Daisy Inclusive UK, and Dave Kelly are all about.

.

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 36
“It tells the story of what happened to me and I hope people are able to believe to achieve, think positive and do something positive with their life and never take no for answer. If you want to do something, to achieve something, break down the barriers, walk around the barriers, jump over them and don’t be scared to ask for help.”
Photos Courtesy of Ray Farley Photography

A HIDDEN GEM

Brasco Lounge is a relaxed, informal, neighbourhood cafe/bar that is located at Mann Island, close to the Museum of Liverpool. The venue is wheelchair accessible, this includes an accessible toilet facility. Brasco is also dog friendly and in addition to a delicious menu, there is also a vegan and gluten free menu.

This place really is a little gem that is close to the Liverpool Waterfront. There are Blue Badge parking bays available at Mann Island and on Brunswick Street There is step free access to Brasco via the courtyard by the Open Eye Gallery

As one of our go to places, the food at Brasco Lounge has never disappointed and considering the Lounge is in the city, the prices are very reasonable.

If you enjoy an English breakfast, then this is definitely the place for you, with a delicious all day breakfast, and for those that are a little hungrier there is a 'big lounge breakfast' option

On the many occasions we have dined there, the most popular dishes our group have ordered include the buttermilk chicken, steak frites, the pulled brisket chilli and the Mexican superbowl Brasco also has a tapas menu and also serves a selection of tasty burgers

Don't forget to leave room for dessert, there is a choice of delicious churros, a Biscoff caramel donut, warm chocolate brownies, chocolate fudge cake and sticky toffee pudding!

Our Tuesday Night Social project have had several wonderful evenings at Brasco Lounge, the staff have always been warm, welcoming and very accommodating, the food has always been delicious There is a good choice of drinks available, including a cocktail menu

Brasco Lounge is a great place to visit for families and groups.

Even if you're just after a snack and a hot drink, or coffee and some cake then Brasco is the place to visit

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 37

TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL

CREATING SOCIAL & LEISURE ACTIVITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE SINCE 2008 WWW.TUESDAYNIGHTSOCIAL.COM

EUROVISION 2023

In case you missed the news, but our hometown of Liverpool will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine. The event will take place on Saturday 13th May, with the semi finals taking place on the 9th and 11th May respectively.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), will work with the BBC to organise the Contest in consultation with last years winners of the Contest and UA:PBC, Ukraine’ s public broadcaster.

For Liverpool, it is the opportunity to showcase our wonderful city to the world!

On BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Will Ferrell telling listeners his Mother wishes to attend the event. The Elf star revealed his Mother's dreams could be in tatters as all the hotels 'are booked'. Later in the show Will said 'We'll share a room! Two bunkbeds is all we need. I know we're kidding - but my mum would love that, she'd be thrilled!'

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 39
LIVERPOOL, UK LIVERPOOL TO HOST EUROVISION 2023

EUROVISION 2023

LIVERPOOL, UK

We're sure Will wont be short of offers for the event!

It really is an opportunity for Liverpool to show the world how awesome our city is. We have an extraordinary history with music, with bands and musicians such as Elvis Costello, Echo & the Bunnymen, Cast, Space, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The La's, The Farm, Mel C, The Coral and The Wombats to name just a few, and then we have The Beatles!

John Paul, George and Ringo, the original Fab Four, all originated from Liverpool, and this is celebrated with tourist attractions across the city that are all Beatles related,

Whilst the Beatles are rightly celebrated across the city, there is of course much more to Liverpool.

For visitors there are plenty of attractions to visit, in and around the city centre there are places such as the Museum of Liverpool, the World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, the Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool ONE, the Philharmonic Hall, St George's Hall, the Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool, the Quirky Quarter, the Royal Liver Building and the cities two magnificent Cathedrals.

For anyone venturing outside of the city centre, there is of course Liverpool F.C and Everton F.C two footballing giants, there is also Knowsley Safari Park, Sefton Park, Speke Hall & Gardens, Croxteth Hall Park, Aintree Racecourse and Allerton Manor Golf Club.

There are many other wonderful attractions in Liverpool and the surrounding areas, it really is a wonderful city full of history and culture. Liverpool is a modern, vibrant city that known all over the world.

From the statues above, through to the statue of Eleanor Rigby, you can also visit places like the Cavern on Mathew Street, the Beatles Museum at the Royal Albert Dock and Strawberry Fields, all of which are accessible.

There is a variety of bars, restaurants and cafes, for people to visit and dine at. For anyone visiting for Eurovision we are sure you will enjoy your stay!

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 40

VISIT THE CONTENT

This is your opportunity to connect with the businesses and organisations that are included in the main articles of Sociable. Below is a list of the businesses / organisations and their website address.

Business / Organisation Website

The Accessible Guide

All Together Now

Boat of Hope

The Brain Charity

Brasco Lounge Breathren

BTR Liverpool Camp Ascca Daisy Inclusive UK Edinburgh Deaf Festival

Evolving Mindset Quirky Quarter

Sociable

Tuesday Night Social The Whitechapel Centre

www.theaccessibleguide.com www.alltogethernow.org.uk www.boatofhope.com www.thebraincharity.org.uk www.thelounges.co.uk www.breathren.co.uk www.btrliverpool.com www.campacca.org www.daisyuk.com www.edinburghdeaffestival.co.uk www.evolvingmindset.co.uk www.quirkyquarter.com www.thisissociable.com www.tuesdaynightsociable.com www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 41

CONTACT SOCIABLE

Sociable is a digital magazine from The Accessible Guide & Tuesday Night Social.

If you're interested in getting involved with the production of our magazine, please email us at info@tuesdaynightsocial.com

We are actively looking for new individuals to support us with the production of future editions of Sociable.

If you have a few hours to spare on a Tuesday evening then why not come along to The Ark and get involved.

If you're not local to Liverpool, but would still like to get involved, then pleased don't hesitate to contact us, you can also contact us through our official social media pages.

For any other enquiries, including potential advertising opportunities then please contact our Management Company, The Accessible Guide.

Contact The Accessible Guide info@theaccessibleguide.com 0151 528 9025

SOCIABLE MAGAZINE 42
www.thisissociable.com

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